Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

Q: Is Nicholas A. Ferri Middle a good school?

Nicholas A. Ferri Middle ranks 38 th of 64 Rhode Island middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Nicholas A. Ferri Middle is a public middle school located in Johnston, Rhode Island, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 761 students. The school is part of the Johnston School District, which is ranked 35 out of 60 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While the school's student-teacher ratio has improved in recent years, academic performance at Nicholas A. Ferri Middle is a concern. The school has consistently performed below the state and district averages in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science proficiency, with only around 30-32% of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in ELA and even lower rates in Mathematics, ranging from 12-19% in recent years. In comparison, nearby schools like Birchwood Middle School and AF Iluminar Mayoral Middle School have higher academic performance, with proficiency rates around 40-50% in both ELA and Mathematics.

The school's relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 37.87% to 45.99% in recent years, suggests that socioeconomic factors may be contributing to the academic challenges. Additionally, the decrease in spending per student at Nicholas A. Ferri Middle compared to nearby schools may be a factor in the school's performance. Overall, the analysis highlights the need for the school to focus on improving its academic outcomes, particularly in Mathematics and Science, while also considering the potential impact of socioeconomic factors and resource allocation on student success.

Detail:

Public 6-8

10 Memorial Avenue
Johnston, RI 02919

(401) 233-1930

District: Johnston

SchoolDigger Rank:
38^th of 64 Rhode Island Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,447

Students who attend Nicholas A. Ferri Middle usually attend:

High:

Johnston Senior High

Feeder schools for Nicholas A. Ferri Middle:

Elementary:	Brown Avenue School
	Early Childhood Center
	Sarah Dyer Barnes School
	Thornton School
	More...
	Winsor Hill School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.3

Number of students: 738

Racial breakdown:

White:

54.7%

Hispanic:

32.0%

African American:

6.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 48.4%

See top rated Rhode Island middle schools

Compare Nicholas A. Ferri Middle to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Nicholas A. Ferri Middle ranks worse than 59.4% of middle schools in Rhode Island. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.64. (See more...)

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (54.7%), Hispanic (32%), African American (6.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 48.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Nicholas A. Ferri Middle is 12.3. (See more...)

Compare Nicholas A. Ferri Middle employs 60 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Nicholas A. Ferri Middle is $11,447.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Nicholas A. Ferri Middle was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Nicholas A. Ferri Middle 38^th of 64 Rhode Island public middle schools. (See Nicholas A. Ferri Middle in the ranking list.)

Johnston:

SchoolDigger ranks Johnston 35^th of 60 Rhode Island school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	RI State Percentile
2009	46.24	29^th	53	45.3%
2010	45.39	32^nd	54	40.7%
2011	45.00	30^th	49	38.8%
2012	41.59	32^nd	48	33.3%
2013	36.14	35^th	48	27.1%
2014	47.49	28^th	49	42.9%
2015	53.58	23^rd	59	61.0%
2016	39.97	34^th	59	42.4%
2017	33.75	37^th	57	35.1%
2018	19.78	42^nd	53	20.8%
2019	31.91	38^th	61	37.7%
2021	29.85	35^th	62	43.5%
2022	38.42	32^nd	60	46.7%
2023	37.89	33^rd	64	48.4%
2024	33.64	38^th	64	40.6%

See the entire list of Rhode Island Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Rhode Island Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Tuesday, April 23, 2019

its just bad dude Close Quote

Enrollment information for Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
1988	461	2	1	0	12	n/a	n/a	476
1989	362	1	5	4	13	n/a	n/a	385
1990	574	3	5	4	4	n/a	n/a	590
1991	671	4	4	8	6	n/a	n/a	693
1992	688	5	3	3	8	n/a	n/a	707
1993	769	3	4	4	8	n/a	n/a	788
1994	740	4	4	8	12	n/a	n/a	768
1995	697	9	12	19	16	n/a	n/a	753
1996	697	9	12	19	16	n/a	n/a	753
1997	736	5	10	23	7	n/a	n/a	781
1998	721	5	5	22	7	n/a	n/a	760
1999	778	10	7	33	6	n/a	n/a	834
2000	761	14	18	23	3	n/a	n/a	819
2001	820	11	7	11	5	n/a	n/a	854
2002	832	12	7	26	6	n/a	n/a	883
2003	832	12	7	26	6	n/a	n/a	883
2004	782	17	12	42	2	n/a	n/a	855
2005	760	28	18	43	4	n/a	n/a	853
2006	713	28	22	62	4	n/a	n/a	829
2007	691	39	22	77	5	n/a	n/a	834
2008	714	37	23	86	3	n/a	n/a	863
2009	684	37	18	73	2	n/a	n/a	814
2010	669	37	14	85	2	n/a	n/a	807
2011	590	27	13	89	0	0	11	730
2012	575	25	12	97	0	0	14	723
2013	514	30	24	103	1	0	1	673
2014	555	31	20	119	1	0	1	727
2015	560	34	18	128	0	0	1	741
2016	566	41	17	139	0	0	6	769
2017	540	43	17	151	1	0	9	761
2018	546	37	18	157	4	1	10	773
2019	561	34	18	166	3	2	8	792
2020	544	36	23	184	1	2	7	797
2021	510	34	25	185	2	2	9	767
2022	506	34	17	196	2	1	15	771
2023	459	47	26	212	2	1	14	761
2024	404	51	29	236	2	1	15	738

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	476	n/a	n/a	4.4
1989	385	n/a	n/a	6.5
1990	590	n/a	n/a	8.8
1991	693	43.0	16.1	8.2
1992	707	54.0	13.0	8.3
1993	788	60.0	13.1	7.5
1994	768	53.0	14.5	11.7
1995	753	57.4	13.1	7.8
1996	753	57.4	13.1	7.8
1997	781	60.0	13.0	7.9
1998	760	51.0	14.9	8.6
1999	834	53.0	15.7	10.9
2000	819	60.0	13.7	16
2001	854	51.0	16.7	15.7
2002	883	n/a	n/a	21.7
2003	883	n/a	n/a	21.7
2004	855	77.0	11.1	25.5
2005	853	77.0	11.1	0.5
2006	829	44.0	18.8	33.9
2007	834	31.8	26.2	21.5
2008	863	31.0	27.8	37.5
2009	814	53.0	12.1	35.5
2010	807	66.0	12.2	42.4
2011	730	62.0	11.7	42.7
2012	723	58.0	12.4	44.4
2013	673	40.6	16.5	44.1
2014	727	46.1	15.7	48.4
2015	741	43.0	17.2	42.9
2016	769	56.0	13.7	51
2017	761	51.0	14.9	52.4
2018	773	53.5	14.4	47.9
2019	792	51.0	15.5	46.5
2020	797	52.0	15.3	45
2021	767	54.0	14.2	44.3
2022	771	56.0	13.7	37.9
2023	761	59.0	12.8	46
2024	738	60.0	12.3	48.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	476	n/a	n/a	4.4
1989	385	n/a	n/a	6.5
1990	590	n/a	n/a	8.8
1991	693	43.0	16.1	8.2
1992	707	54.0	13.0	8.3
1993	788	60.0	13.1	7.5
1994	768	53.0	14.5	11.7
1995	753	57.4	13.1	7.8
1996	753	57.4	13.1	7.8
1997	781	60.0	13.0	7.9
1998	760	51.0	14.9	8.6
1999	834	53.0	15.7	10.9
2000	819	60.0	13.7	16
2001	854	51.0	16.7	15.7
2002	883	n/a	n/a	21.7
2003	883	n/a	n/a	21.7
2004	855	77.0	11.1	25.5
2005	853	77.0	11.1	0.5
2006	829	44.0	18.8	33.9
2007	834	31.8	26.2	21.5
2008	863	31.0	27.8	37.5
2009	814	53.0	12.1	35.5
2010	807	66.0	12.2	42.4
2011	730	62.0	11.7	42.7
2012	723	58.0	12.4	44.4
2013	673	40.6	16.5	44.1
2014	727	46.1	15.7	48.4
2015	741	43.0	17.2	42.9
2016	769	56.0	13.7	51
2017	761	51.0	14.9	52.4
2018	773	53.5	14.4	47.9
2019	792	51.0	15.5	46.5
2020	797	52.0	15.3	45
2021	767	54.0	14.2	44.3
2022	771	56.0	13.7	37.9
2023	761	59.0	12.8	46
2024	738	60.0	12.3	48.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$322 (2.4%)	$13,106 (97.6%)	$13,428
2019	$308 (2.3%)	$13,309 (97.7%)	$13,617
2020	$564 (4.5%)	$11,883 (95.5%)	$12,447
2021	$213 (1.9%)	$11,234 (98.1%)	$11,447

Data source: Rhode Island Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 38^th of 61 Middle schools	Ranks 33^rd of 64 Middle schools	10.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Nicholas A. Ferri Middle)	33.2	30.1	3.1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Johnston)	33.2	30	3.2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	39.1	31.9	7.2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Nicholas A. Ferri Middle)	21.5	25.9	4.4%
6th Grade Mathematics (Johnston)	21.5	25.8	4.3%
6th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	28	28.7	0.8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Nicholas A. Ferri Middle)	25	32.1	7.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Johnston)	24.7	31.8	7.1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	31.5	29	2.5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Nicholas A. Ferri Middle)	15.1	17.2	2.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Johnston)	15	17.1	2.1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	27.6	25.7	1.9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Nicholas A. Ferri Middle)	43.4	34.9	8.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Johnston)	43.4	34.9	8.5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Rhode Island)	36.3	32.2	4.1%
8th Grade Mathematics (Nicholas A. Ferri Middle)	16.7	15.1	1.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Johnston)	16.7	15.1	1.6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Rhode Island)	24.5	23	1.5%
All Grades English Language Arts (Nicholas A. Ferri Middle)	33.5	32.5	1%
All Grades English Language Arts (Johnston)	36.1	32.6	3.5%
All Grades Mathematics (Nicholas A. Ferri Middle)	17.7	19.1	1.4%
All Grades Mathematics (Johnston)	25.2	20.9	4.3%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	792	761	3.9%
African American	34	47	38.2%
American Indian	3	2	33.3%
Asian	18	26	44.4%
Hispanic	166	212	27.7%
Pacific Islander	2	1	50%
White	561	459	18.2%
Two or More Races	8	14	75%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	46.5%	46%	0.5%

Schools Near Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				NGSA Science (2024)	RICAS English Language Arts (2024)					RICAS Mathematics (2024)					Per Pupil Expenditures (2021)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	NGSA Science All Grades	RICAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	RICAS English Language Arts All Grades	RICAS Mathematics 5th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 6th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 7th Grade	RICAS Mathematics 8th Grade	RICAS Mathematics All Grades	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Nicholas A. Ferri Middle	Public	6-8	10 Memorial Avenue	Johnston	02919	Providence County	Johnston	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 233-1930	738	60	12.3	48.4%	404 (54.7%)	51 (6.9%)	236 (32.0%)	29 (3.9%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	15 (2.0%)	33.6	38^th of 64 public middle schools	40.6%		37.9	33^rd of 64 public middle schools	48.4%	5	21.0		30.9	29.5	32.3	31.0		12.8	18.5	12.9	14.5	$11,447	$213	$11,234
Excel Academy Rhode Island	Public, Charter	5-6	622 Woonasquatucket Avenue	North Providence	02911	Providence County	Excel Academy Rhode Island	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(401) 680-6086	199	14	14.2	66.8%	7 (3.5%)	31 (15.6%)	151 (75.9%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	6 (3.0%)								(n/a)	23.8	23.8	29.7			27.2	14.5	22.5			19.1
Dr. Edward Ricci School	Public	6-8	51 Intervale Avenue	North Providence	02911	Providence County	North Providence	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 233-1170	417	32	13.0	40.0%	194 (46.5%)	55 (13.2%)	118 (28.3%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.7%)	36.7	35^th of 64 public middle schools	45.3%		42.6	32^nd of 64 public middle schools	50.0%	3	24.8		30.4	28.3	35.1	31.5		10.9	15.6	22.7	16.6	$12,633	$459	$12,174
Governor Christopher DelSesto	Public	6-8	152 Springfield Street	Providence	02909	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 278-0557	647	50	12.9	88.1%	43 (6.6%)	58 (9.0%)	464 (71.7%)	23 (3.6%)	8 (1.2%)	3 (0.5%)	24 (3.7%)								(n/a)					8.9							$15,665	$1,430	$14,235
AF Providence Mayoral Middle	Public, Charter	5-8	370 Hartford Avenue	Providence	02909	Providence County	Achievement First Rhode Island	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 347-1120	405	28	14.4	57.0%	13 (3.2%)	75 (18.5%)	300 (74.1%)	6 (1.5%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.7%)	27.6	41^st of 64 public middle schools	35.9%		33.3	38^th of 64 public middle schools	40.6%	3	19.9	19.0	34.3	14.3	23.2	22.6	14.9	21.4	15.2	10.2	15.4
Paul Cuffee Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	30 Barton Street	Providence	02909	Providence County	Paul Cuffee Charter School	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 453-2711	187	17	11.0	84.0%	4 (2.1%)	35 (18.7%)	131 (70.1%)	4 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	12 (6.4%)	16.9	50^th of 64 public middle schools	21.9%		21.5	47^th of 64 public middle schools	26.6%	3	11.1			7.9	21.0	10.2		12.9	14.3	11.1	12.8	$16,178	$1,731	$14,448
West Broadway Middle School	Public	5-8	29 Bainbridge Avenue	Providence	02909	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9102	499	34	14.6	86.8%	31 (6.2%)	37 (7.4%)	377 (75.6%)	28 (5.6%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (2.6%)	14.6	54^th of 64 public middle schools	15.6%		9	61^st of 64 public middle schools	4.7%	7	14.4	12.0	10.3	5.2	16.0	10.4	9.5	17.4	6.6		9.9	$16,785	$2,088	$14,697
Nathanael Greene Middle	Public	6-8	721 Chalkstone Avenue	Providence	02908	Providence County	Providence	No	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 456-9347	803	54	14.8	78.6%	66 (8.2%)	134 (16.7%)	503 (62.6%)	40 (5.0%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	27 (3.4%)	25.5	42^nd of 64 public middle schools	34.4%		21.3	48^th of 64 public middle schools	25.0%	6	20.3		23.9	16.7	29.0	23.4		11.4	11.9	15.9	13.1	$15,515	$1,513	$14,002
AF Iluminar Mayoral Middle School	Public, Charter	5-8	85 Garfield Avenue	Cranston	02920	Providence County	Achievement First Rhode Island	Yes	(n/a)	No	Yes	(401) 347-1118	401	26	15.4	38.9%	11 (2.7%)	83 (20.7%)	286 (71.3%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.5%)	35.2	36^th of 64 public middle schools	43.8%		50.1	30^th of 64 public middle schools	53.1%	6	27.4	49.0	34.0	20.6	34.7	34.8	23.1	13.7	10.3	20.4	17.0
Birchwood Middle School	Public	6-8	10 Birchwood Drive	North Providence	02904	Providence County	North Providence	No	(n/a)	No	No	(401) 233-1120	365	31	11.7	43.6%	173 (47.4%)	53 (14.5%)	90 (24.7%)	12 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (5.8%)	58.6	25^th of 64 public middle schools	60.9%		62.3	22^nd of 64 public middle schools	65.6%	3	39.5		33.3	39.6	58.5	43.6		22.0	17.4	38.0	25.6	$14,093	$441	$13,653

Frequently Asked Questions about Nicholas A. Ferri Middle

Is Nicholas A. Ferri Middle a good school?

Nicholas A. Ferri Middle ranks 38^th of 64 Rhode Island middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Nicholas A. Ferri Middle?

In the 2023-24 school year, 738 students attended Nicholas A. Ferri Middle.

What high school do graduates of Nicholas A. Ferri Middle attend?

Students who attend Nicholas A. Ferri Middle usually go on to attend Johnston Senior High

What is the racial makeup of Nicholas A. Ferri Middle?

Students at Nicholas A. Ferri Middle are 55% White, 32% Hispanic, 7% African American, 4% Asian, 2% Two or more races.

What district is Nicholas A. Ferri Middle in?

Johnston

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Rhode Island Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.